My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake with wide

cake is

and a

her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before

the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel a

the ‘Happy

Rachel must close her eyes and make a

blow out the

shook her head to indicate to Julian that there was no need

candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young

wasn’t even at table height yet looking up

made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the cake

thank you!” their parents instructed,

plates, the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed

the light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days.

Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take

so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At

“Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since you have

and headed toward the

inside her apartment and

slam, the door was propped open by a

darkened face made all the more

he out on business?

he slid sideways into the house and shut

been getting along

steps back. Why are you

her resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off his

sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful

step he approached her,

no idea what

she staggered after him and was dragged